(Sacramento, CA – May 2014) – After three months and literally thousands of hair shows, casual days, cut-a-thons, and “FUNraisers,” more than 13,000 cosmetology students from 110 Paul Mitchell Schools raised over $2.1 million for 11 selected charities, bringing their 11-year total to more than $13.3 million. This year’s total was announced at the annual FUNraising Gala, held at the Beverly Hilton and hosted by actor, producer, cancer activist Fran Drescher and Paul Mitchell Schools’ Dean and Cofounder Winn Claybaugh.

School directors and staff members joined the festivities in Beverly Hills to represent their school.

“It is not the kindness of our hearts that provides the support that our charity partners require; it is dollars,”Winnsaid. “I am so proud of our Paul Mitchell Future Professionals for walking the walk, doing the heavy lifting, and doing more than just hoping for the best for those in need.”

Gala Highlights

Marie Osmond

Singer, songwriter Marie Osmond announced that Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, which she co-founded in 1983, has officially raised over $5 billion to date. Since 2010, Paul Mitchell Schools have donated $1 million to the organization. “Because of you,” Marie told the audience, “it’s a dollar at a time, a heart at a time … I’ve never known such generous people. Thank you on behalf of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.”

Basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson described the work that the Magic Johnson Foundation will be able to perform because of the generous donation from Paul Mitchell Schools. Then he said, “The question is, am I going to buy the Clippers? If I do, you’re going to be the first to know!” To date, Paul Mitchell Schools have donated $430,000 to the Magic Johnson Foundation.

Paul Mitchell Cofounder and Chairman John Paul DeJoria has recommended several charitable organizations for the FUNraising campaign, including long-time recipient Food 4 Africa. This year he introduced two new charities: Wells of Hope and ELSA.Actor/producer Ricky Schroder and his wife, producer Andrea Schroder, joined John Paul on stage to speak about Wells of Hope, which provides water and other essentials to the people of Guatemala. Actor Danny Trejo, speakingon behalf of ELSA, said, “In standing up and refusing to sit idly by, you have affected the lives of so many families. For me, there’s only two kinds of people in the world: those that really want to make a difference and those that are taking up space. And I honestly believe that in this room there’s a whole lot of people at the forefront of wanting to make a difference.”

Sara Rue

Less Than Perfect star Sara Rue told the audience about Pasi, a young Indonesian woman who thought she was coming to the United States as a nanny and housekeeper but instead was beaten, threatened, and practically starved before she escaped and found refuge at the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST). Referring to the $50,000 donation provided by the FUNraising campaign as well as three scholarships that will allow CAST victims to attend a Paul Mitchell School, Sara said: “Some people don’t want to see human trafficking victims, but at Paul Mitchell Schools, not only are you supporting them through your FUNraising efforts, but you have agreed to invite them into your community as Future Professionals. . . . We are SO grateful for your support.”

Speaking on behalf of the No Limits educational and afterschool theater program for hearing-impaired children, comedian and motivational speaker Kathy Buckley announced the addition of a new Las Vegas location, provided in large part by funds from the Paul Mitchell Schools’ FUNraising efforts. Introducing the Magno family, whose three children attend the Las Vegas program, Kathy said, “They did not have to drive out here but their heart’s desire was to be here tonight.” Edwin Magno said, “You’ve given us hope and just knowing that our kids will be successful in the future.” His wife Nameer added, “With the help of Paul Mitchell Schools, we’re able to raise them and give them the opportunity every child should have.” To date, Paul Mitchell Schools have donated $556,250 to No Limits.

Actress Betty White has attended Paul Mitchell Schools’ FUNraising Galas for the past three years on behalf of Morris Animal Foundation butwas unable to attend this year. She sent a video message, saying: “I’m sorry I can’t be with you tonight, but I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart … for supporting Morris Animal Foundation and all of the worthy causes that benefit from your generosity.” To date, Paul Mitchell Schools have donated $570,000 to Morris Animal Foundation.

Taylor Morris, who became a quadruple amputee while serving with the navy in Afghanistan, and his fiancée Danielle Kelley spoke at the Paul Mitchell Schools biannual Leadership Summit in October 2013; they also sent a video message about the schools’ FUNraising support for the Gary Sinise Foundation: “We just want to say thanks to the whole Paul Mitchell family for everything you’ve done for us this past year and before that,” Taylor said. “We really appreciate everything. Wish we could be there!” Paul Mitchell Schools have donated $410,000 to the Gary Sinise Foundation.

Winners of the annual “First 100” contest were recognized for raising at least $3,000 individually; these 100 hard-working students and staff members attended the Gala plus a hands-on training the following day with 5-time NAHA winner Vivienne Mackinder and Cao Cosmetics.

Entertainment was provided by award-winning husband-and-wife jazz duo Tuck and Patti, along with a special appearance by comedian Jo Anne Worley.

Where the Money Goes

Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation, $1,055,000

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, $150,000

No Limits, $150,000

Cancer Schmancer, $150,000

Gary Sinise Foundation, $130,000

Magic Johnson Foundation, $150,000

Morris Animal Foundation, $100,000

Food 4 Africa, $100,000

CAST, $50,000

Wells of Hope, $50,000

Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart, $35,000

ELSA, $25,000

The nonprofit Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation helps disadvantaged or hard-hit cosmetologists and cosmetology-related enterprises. Under its umbrella, Paul Mitchell Schools have donated to many great causes in the past 12 years. This year, the foundation will award $25,000 to each of the following organizations:

CUT IT OUT, which builds awareness of domestic abuse and trains salon professionals to recognize warning signs and safely refer clients to local resources.

NCA Disaster Relief Fund, which helps members of the beauty industry in the wake of disasters.

The Trade Foundation,which restores victims of sex trafficking and abuse by teaching them how to cut and style hair.

At Paul Mitchell Schools, we believe that education is an adventure and the learning experience needs to be fun. Our instructors—we call them “learning leaders”—are trained to draw out the artist in every student and prepare them to compete in the real world. Through our annual “FUNraising” campaign, we’ve raised and donated millions of dollars in support of many charitable causes. We’ve built homes with Habitat for Humanity, fed thousands of African orphans, and supported the victims of AIDS, breast cancer, homelessness, abuse, and hundreds of other causes.

Established 30 years ago, the Paul Mitchell network is nearly 100,000 salons strong and in 81 countries worldwide; every professional hairdresser knows the Paul Mitchell name. Now, with the arrival of Paul Mitchell Schools, we’ve taken the world of cosmetology education by storm!

About the Supported Charities

Cancer Schmancer Movement, founded by Fran Drescher, is an education and advocacy organization dedicated to saving lives through prevention and early detection of cancer. By empowering ourselves and the people we love to become medical consumers, listen to our bodies, ask the right questions of our doctors, and seek second opinions, we can prevent cancer and, if we still end up with it, detect cancer in its earliest stages. www.cancerschmancer.org

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals across the United States and Canada, which, in turn, use the money where it’s needed the most. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $4.7 billion, most of it $1 at a time, all in support of the mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. www.cmnhospitals.org

CAST (Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking) aims to assist persons trafficked for the purpose of forced labor and slavery-like practices and to work toward ending all instances of such human rights violations. www.castla.org

ELSA (Experience Learning Support with Animals) builds confidence, sensory awareness, and social skills in special-needs children, teens, adults, and families through the benefits of the human-animal interaction in the ranch setting. http://elsainc.org

Food 4 Africa is committed to supplying at least one vitamin- and mineral-enriched meal each day to the children of Southern Africa, where the HIV/AIDS epidemic has left more than 6 million orphaned children. In South Africa alone more than a million preschool children do not receive sufficient food. www.food4africa.org

Gary Sinise Foundation helps build custom-designed “smart homes” for our nation’s most severely wounded heroes while supporting active duty service members, veterans, first responders, and the children and families of our fallen. www.garysinisefoundation.org

Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit organization that invests in science that advances veterinary medicine for companion animals, horses, and wildlife. It is a global leader in animal health science, and its funding helps more species in more places than that of any other organization in the world. www.morrisanimalfoundation.org

No Limits offers a one-of-a-kind national theatre group and an after-school educational program that enhance confidence and communication skills for low-income deaf children while providing underserved deaf children with the leadership and academic skills to be college ready. www.kidswithnolimits.org

Wells of Hope is committed to responding to the cry of the poor and helping them attain the basic necessities of clean water, education, and basic health care. www.wellsofhope.com

Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation was founded to honor a successful Paul Mitchell School graduate whose struggle against mental illness ended tragically in suicide. The foundation helps cosmetology students, graduates, their families, and cosmetology-related enterprises. Funds have provided educational opportunities, hurricane relief, and support in the fights against breast cancer, domestic violence, and other destroyers of self-esteem. https://www.facebook.com/AndrewGomezDreamFoundation

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